Features of academic writing

http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/complex.htm

The following features are common in academic written texts:
Subordinate (less important) clauses/embedding: Relative clause
Complement clauses: that+clauses, to+clauses, of+ing+clauses
Sequences of prepositional phrases: preposition is used commonly.
Participles:
Formal written English uses verbs less than spoken English. -ed and -ing participles allow verbs to be used nominally or adjectively.
Passive verbs,
Lexical density: specialized pattern of words, using phrase more than clause
Lexical complexity: affixes, refixes, noun, verb
e.g:
noun + prefix=noun (hyperinflation)
verb + prefix=verb (rewrite)
verb + suffix=noun (demonstration)
adjective + suffix= verb (specialise)
adjective + suffix=noun (darkness)
verb/ noun + suffix=adjective (attractive, homeless)
adjctive + negative (prefix) = adjective (uncomfortable)
both prefix and suffix: unimaginative
Nominalisation:
of, -tion (suffix) are used commonly
Noun-based phrases: prefer noun to verb in academic writing
Modification of noun-phrases:
premodifier + noun:
adjective - the constitutional aspects, the important role
ed-participle - a balanced budget, the emitted light
ing-participle - growing problem, existing structures
noun - market forces, cabinet appointments

noun + post modifier:

relative clause - students who have no previous experience
to-clauses - the solution to the problem of inflation, the question to be debated
ing-clauses - a brake consisting of a drum divided into twelve compartments
ed-clauses - canoes preserved by a hard plaster,
prepositional phrase - we need to bring to the box a special tool with a ready-compressed spring
adverb (phrase) - the road back, the people outside
adjective (phrase) -the festival proper, something different

Attributive adjectives: external economic linkages